AKEL demands full investigation into Lagarde list

Statement of Stavros Evagorou, Deputy Parliamentary Spokesperson of AKEL-Left-New Forces

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 13th January 2016, Nicosia

Everyone knows that as AKEL we had through the assumption of various actions led the efforts to secure the Cyprus Lagarde List. In addition, we recall that we as AKEL were the first to express our gratitude for the work done by the relevant departments of the government in relation to the identification of the Lagarde list that is complete.

On the basis of that identification taxes of EUR 35 million have so far been imposed for 2003 alone, while as stated others will follow in the years ahead.

As AKEL, we consider that the investigation of the list must proceed to the very end. The law enforcement authorities of the Republic of Cyprus should already have been involved in this investigation. Unfortunately at this level the government has dragged its feet and should be held accountable to the people.

Because tax evasion is a criminal offense we expect that with the completion of the investigation, the tax evaders will be brought to justice. Furthermore, there should also be an investigation as to whether other illegal actions such as money laundering or kickbacks are hidden behind the accounts in the Swiss bank.

The people of Cyprus must at the same time know whether political figures are hiding behind such accounts. In such a case the names must be made public.

Finally, as AKEL we ask the government:

Given that Hervé Falciani, the banker who revealed the Lagarde List publicly expressed his willingness to help the Cypriot authorities to secure other names as well (indeed stressing that the Cypriot authorities possess only 1/3 of the names who have accounts in the Swiss bank), then why till today have the Cypriot authorities made no contact and have not utilized this valuable source of information?